ON SATURDAY three Wiltshire lads achieved what has proved an incredibly rare feat this season, silencing the Welsh.

Bath flanker Fraser Clilverd and srum-half Sam Alford teamed with Bristol Academy full back-cum-centre Karl Brant in the England U18 team to record a hard fought win over their Welsh counterparts at Neath.

Alford, a Chippenham junior and son of that club's head coach Rob Alford, Wootton Bassett's Brant and Clilverd, of Upper Seagry, also played a major part in England's defeat of France in Bournemouth the week before, and the win in Wales completes their international program.

Having played a leading role in giving England a 14-5 lead at the interval, Alford was replaced at half time to give his understudy some game time. Clilverd was also given a rest after 60 minutes, but Brant played the full game in the centres, again standing out.

England went on to record a 21-15 win, and Alford said the visitors were always in control after failing to kill off their opposition in the loss to Ireland three weeks ago and just pipping France.

With their performances in Bournemouth and Wales, and for the younger U18 England squad which returned victorious from the Association Europen de Rugby Festival in France, Brant and Clilverd will certainly be in contention when selection for the U19 World Cup comes around next season.

Due to a recent IRB law change, Alford will be too old, but said next season will give him a chance to consolidate his position at Bath, where he made his first team debut in December last year, and undertake further study after he finishes his last exam at Sheldon School in Chippenham in May.

"That's unless I have a call from Clive Woodward," Alford said jokingly this week.

After their final fixtures for Bath and Bristol and exams over the next few weeks, all three will certainly have earned some summer rest and relaxation.